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Launched by Vegan Business Tribe, a new online course aims to help plant-based businesses and startups scale-up by improving their marketing skills. Called the Marketing Viploma, the affordable program is packed with video resources, written content, templates and exercises and businesses will also have access to Vegan Business Tribe’s forum and online community where they can gain insights from virtual networking and interviews.
The new Marketing Viploma is an online study course designed to help vegan businesses scale-up their impact and operations through better knowledge on how to market their plant-based products and services. The course itself will include 24 modules in total, covering a range of topics from understanding their plant-based consumer base, to leveraging social media tools and using influencer marketing to project a message that fits their target audience.
The whole program is virtual, and can be worked through according to individuals’ own pace. Formats within the course range from written content to video resources, worksheets and templates, as well as membership to the Vegan Business Tribe. Access to the program is available as a part of the £12.99 monthly fee to join the community.
We might feel that making money is unethical – after all, many people blame growing commercialism for a lot of today’s problems. But the reality is that we can do more good in the world with a profit than with loss.
David Pannell, Co-Founder of Vegan Business Tribe
The Vegan Business Tribe is a U.K.-based online community founded earlier this year by David Pannell and Lisa Fox, who together have over three decades of marketing experience. Since its inception, the platform has grown to comprise over 900 vegan business owners, offering a free support network, discussion forum and content with advice to help its members adapt throughout the economic uncertainty in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Subscribing to the course will mean that businesses can join this dedicated forum to ask questions and seek tips, insights and support, as well as attend “business clinic sessions” with Pannell and Fox and other plant-based experts.
“Most of us start a vegan business as a way to further the cause, but it is fair to say that most vegans who start a business do so without thinking enough about actually making money,” said Pannell, who has previously held a position as an ambassador for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. “We might feel that making money is unethical – after all, many people blame growing commercialism for a lot of today’s problems. But the reality is that we can do more good in the world with a profit than with loss.”
Many startup vegan businesses are already producing innovative products and services, but don’t always have the experience, or the budget, to engage with consultants to make their business a success.
David Pannell, Co-Founder of Vegan Business Tribe
“In addition, many startup vegan businesses are already producing innovative products and services, but don’t always have the experience, or the budget, to engage with consultants to make their business a success. We wanted to find a way to help these brilliant companies grow and succeed.”
Other courses focused on nurturing ethical entrepreneurship have also emerged in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has spotlighted the crucial need for businesses to place impact – whether it be promoting sustainable plant-based eating or having a positive effect on local communities – at the centre of their strategy.
In September, a new virtual learning program called The Spaceship was launched, designed to provide a foundation for new entrepreneurs to make a difference for the planet. There are five main phases in the curriculum, starting with identifying the key issue that individuals are passionate about, to launching a business plan, with each segment of the program guided by pre-recorded videos, workshops, podcast interviews with industry experts as well as live-streamed online sessions.
Lead image courtesy of Vegan Business Tribe.
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